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Sask. hits 500 case mark, 24 new far north cases reported, fifth outbreak announced

Saskatchewan has passed a grim milestone in the COVID-19 outbreak. The province has now reported more than 500 cases of the disease. Twenty-five new cases of the disease were reported May 6, with all but one case reported in the far north region.
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Saskatchewan has passed a grim milestone in the COVID-19 outbreak. The province has now reported more than 500 cases of the disease. 

Twenty-five new cases of the disease were reported May 6, with all but one case reported in the far north region. Out of the 25 new cases, 22 were reported in and around La Loche. There have been 152 positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the far north, including 138 active cases - more than twice the number of active Saskatchewan cases outside the region.

Thirteen people are in hospital with COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, including four people in intensive care.

Most new cases are tied to community transmission. Out of the 25 cases confirmed May 6, 20 are confirmed to been contracted through community contact. There are still 124 cases under investigation by Saskatchewan public health officials.

A fifth outbreak in Saskatchewan was confirmed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) in Meadow Lake. The outbreak, which the SHA proclaimed May 5, was called after a staff member at the Meadow Lake Hospital tested positive for the disease. Outbreaks have also been called for locations in La Loche, Beauval, Prince Albert and Lloydminster.

Saskatchewan health workers performed 670 tests May 5.

The new cases came on the same day the Saskatchewan government announced a $7.5 billion infrastructure spending program over the next ywo years, including a number of medical investments such as a new CT scanner in Melfort and construction of a brand new seniors facility in Meadow Lake.

Meanwhile, the provincial government announced a timeline for a return for some non-urgent health services. Starting May 19, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, immunizations, mental health and addictions care and public health inspections, including inspection of long-term care homes and personal care facilities, will proceed. Other services, including reopening of specialty clinics and expanding routine health services, will come at a later date.

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